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From: jack@swlabs.uucp (Jack Bonn)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: CCITT and Plenary Sessions/Books Summary
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Date: 30 Sep 90 19:18:12 GMT
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In article <12700@accuvax.nwu.edu> djcl@contact.uucp (woody) writes:

>On a side note, it is interesting to note that the CCITT has developed
>standards for a programming language called CHILL (CCITT High Level
>Language). I don't know if this is actually in use anywhere, or if
>there have been any CHILL compilers/interpreters developed. It's an
>interesting language, what with various set operators developed, and
>the typical 'if', 'for' and 'while' looping mechanisms.

Interesting is certainly an understatement regarding CHILL.  It has
all the strengths and weaknesses of a strongly typed language and
reminds me more than a little of what I have seen of ADA.  [I wish I
had $1 for every time the difference between synmode and newmode had
to be explained to newcomers.]

Yes, it was used.  Here in Connecticut at ITT's Telecommunication
Technology Center (TTC, later called ATC) a compiler was developed for
CHILL in the late 70's and early 80's.  The System 12 digital switch was
developed in CHILL both here and in Europe.  The development platform
was the IBM mainframe and the target was the 8086.  Rumor has it that
the System 12 development cost approx. $1.2 billion (where billion ==
one thousand million).

The French firm Alcatel bought ITT out of the telecommunications
business (although ITT retained some piece of the action) and moved
the operation out of the US.  But I am sure System 12 is still written
in CHILL.

Siemans in Florida has used CHILL.  I had also heard that AG in
Phoenix, Arizona is/was also using CHILL.


Jack Bonn, KC1UH, <> Software Labs, Ltd, Box 451, Easton CT  06612
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